1934: Yuri Gagarin Born in a Part of Russia Occupied by Napoleon’s and Hitler’s Troops

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Historical date:

9. March 1934

Gagarin's village of birth – Klushino – is located west of Moscow, on the area once occupied by Napoleon's and Hitler's troops during their attempts to conquer Russia. At the moment of Hitler's invasion of the USSR (Operation Barbarossa), Gagarin was only seven years old.

The famous Yuri Gagarin was born on this day in 1934 in the village of Klushino in Russia. Of course, he is famous for being the first man in space (in 1961 he made the first orbital flight in the Vostok 1).

Gagarin’s village of birth – Klushino – is located west of Moscow, on the area once occupied by Napoleon’s and Hitler’s troops during their attempts to conquer Russia. The nearest town is today called Gagarin. Until 1968 it was called Gzhatsk, but was then renamed in honor of the tragically deceased Gagarin.

The village of Borodino, where the famous battle between Napoleon’s and Russian forces took place in 1812, is also located approximately between Gagarin’s birthplace and Moscow. Yuri Gagarin was only seven years old at the moment of Hitler’s invasion of the USSR (Operation Barbarossa).

It is interesting to note that the German army occupied Gagarin’s birthplace, and his house was allegedly taken over by a German officer. According to some reports, Gagarin’s family was allowed to build a temporary home nearby. This is likely the reason Gagarin survived World War II (he was 11 when the war ended).